Sir – Oxford City Council, on July 27, submitted a planning application for a temporary change of use of the existing car park at Harcourt House, in Marston Road, Oxford, to provide a temporary replacement public car park during the proposed closure of St Clements public car park, when the construction works, relating to Oxford City Council’s planning application to redevelop that site for student accommodation, takes place.

The existing public car park, off St Clements Street, has an important role in serving those who use the shops, restaurants and pubs close to The Plain.

The proposed replacement car park site at Harcourt House, Marston Road, would be at least half-a-mile further away from The Plain, and is too distant to be an effective replacement.

It is not a practical solution in overcoming the problem of the loss of trade in the St Clements Street area, if the St Clements Street public car park is closed during the period when the proposed construction is carried out on that site.

The applications for the change of use on the Harcourt House site, and for the redevelopment of the St Clements Street car park site should both be refused to protect the existing level of trade in the area adjacent to The Plain, which provides an important element within the commercial fabric of Oxford.

Rodney Stableford, Oxford